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Fighting racism for…other people?

After getting the nudge from a friend, I finally decided to see the movie The Hangover. The film is comedy about three groomsmen who lose their friend (the groom) in Vegas the day before his wedding. It’s sort of a “Dude, Where’s My Car” movie…except the car is replaced with a person. As far as the humor goes, it was another one of those “Meh…” movies for me. Some of the one-liners were funny, but the movie itself was decidedly unfunny. Not much to say about that aspect of the film. More interesting to me though, was how the movie added to the consistent propogation of racism currently lining several movies coming out of Hollywood. Specifically there was a character “Mr. Chow” (played by Asian-American actor Ken Jeong) who reinforced many of the stereotypes typically associated with our Asian brothers.

For those of you who know me, you’re well aware that examining race is one of my staples. While I frequently use my blog as a clearinghouse to discuss many other important things to me (religion, politics, and the world around me) viewing things from a racialized perspective has been a central theme of sorts. Specifically, I’ve tried to address racism in a way that will provide readers (especially my non-black readers) with a reasonable understanding of how one person of color sees the world.

Despite all this, I eventually concluded that no matter how often I provide commentary about issues involving race, certain people will never fully understand where I’m coming from; nor – I suppose – should I expected them to. While we all share very similar human characteristics on one hand, on the other hand we all experience certain cultural situations that make us different. So when I saw The View’s Elizabeth Hasslebeck trying to preach to two black women about why black folks should not use the N-word, for instance, I got incensed. True: a part of me wanted to at least commend her for showing (what appeared to be) genuine passion for wanting a racially neutral, “colorblind” society. But the greater part of me couldn’t help but to chalk her tearful plea up to some sort of arrogance outlined by white privilege (telling us black folks what’s best for us). But last summer I had somewhat of an ‘about face’, when I angrily read about the Spanish Olympic basketball team’s racially insentive photo (interestingly, this happened on more than one occasion). At that point, I saw just how easy it is to fall into the same trap in which people like Hasselbeck often stumble. As angry as I was with Hasselbeck, I found myself doing the EXACT same thing with the Spanish Olympic team and with The Hangover.

Over a year ago, I blogged about the story surrounding the now infamous Tiger Woods/Kelly Tilghman lynching joke. Of particular interest was the very next post I wrote discussing my frustration with how a white journalist was fired (unfairly, IMO) for using a controversial magazine cover to creatively show how damaging Tilghman’s story was. The reality was: I saw a white person who “got it” and tried to make other people “get it.” For that (as opposed to Hasselbeck trying to get other black people to “get it”), I tipped my hat to the magazine editorialist. But after further review, I’m wondering how hypocritical I was for praising one white voice while excoriating another. I also wondered what rights that journalist had to declare what would be offensive for black people. I then easily turned the spotlight back on myself by asking how much I should (or should not) be in the position to speak on behalf of other groups. Should I — a lone black man — be able to speak for Asians around the world about how offensive Ken Jeong’s performace was (for good measure, you can also toss in Mad TV’s Bobby Lee)? Even if my being offended accurately represents the sentiments of 99% of the Asian world, that still leaves a sizable number of people who are misrepresented by the anger I mask as being “socially aware.” Basically, I have to ask: is it ever OK to be outraged for another group?

I hate BET with all my heart and soul. Adding to the things I hate are anything that Tyler Perry has ever produced, most of the work that Mo’Nique has done up to this point, a vast majority of today’s mainstream rappers, and the mile-long list of ignorant things black people do. But as much as I despise certain stereotypical aspects of black America, I think I’m ever MORE annoyed when I see non-blacks chiming in by telling us how we need to respond. Without even thinking about how some of these things intricately fit in the paradigm of the black experience, non-blacks tend to provide commentary (most of it unsolicited) regarding things they know nothing about and which don’t affect them directly. Fox News is notorious for that (i.e. in this clip, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is debating with a couple of clowns on Fox News – one black, one white – about how Lebron James’ recent Vogue cover should not be offensive to black people).

I suppose my ultimate point is simple: there is a fine line between being socially conscious toward the experiences of other people and just downright overstepping your boundaries. It’s one thing to be aware of the lives, actions, and lifestyles of a group people. It’s another ball of wax to presume that you can speak on their behalf. That privilege can only come when you are a part of that group (and trust me when I say that I’m putting myself on trial here as much as anybody else).

Malcolm X was once heavily criticized when he rebuffed a liberal white student’s attempt to get involved during the Black Struggle. While his barrier of sectarianism was eventually broken down as he became more open to white involvement, he always maintained that blacks should be at the forefront when addressing black issues. I think that same idea applies today. I see absolutely nothing wrong with being socially aware and active in issues that affect other people. But perhaps we should leave it up to those who are most affected to be the initial fire starters.

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13 comments on “Fighting racism for…other people?”

I believe that it is our duty as citizens of this world to support the poor, marginalized, and voiceless amongst us. Empathy, compassion, and love for each other calls for us to stand up against injustice whether or not we are directly involved. An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere!

I /cosign this. Not getting involved is often viewed as a sign of acceptance (i.e. The allowing of an obviously demeaning & harmful racist/sexist/etc. joke to go uncontested makes one listening just as guilty, or so we’re told) of whatever ill behavior or words are being brought forth. Being white, I don’t know if it’s even possible to be offended by things such as the recent Creative Steps Day Camp debacle, but I certainly share the very same feeling of disgust. When given a similar situation, should I sit passively by until given the cue by the real offended? My answer now, & forever will be “absolutely not”.

@ Megan and Nic: I certainly appreciate your engaging approach. Instinctively, I think most of us are like that as well: we feel that actively trying to redress certain societal ills (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc) is a good thing. But sometimes I feel like I’m treading ground that should be left alone. Iraq immediately comes to mind, but there are countless examples of instances where we were sure we’d be ‘treated like liberators’, only to find out that we’ve either pissed somebody off because of our intervention or that we’ve unncessarily fought for things that were of the least bit of interest for those ‘served.’ I dunno.

I hate to lightheartedly address something that appears to be a serious matter, but let me tell you that we white people live to get offended for other people. We prep ourselves – seemingly on a daily basis – to defend another culture. It’s our way of feeling relevant. LOL!

Mike :I hate to lightheartedly address something that appears to be a serious matter, but let me tell you that we white people live to get offended for other people. We prep ourselves – seemingly on a daily basis – to defend another culture. It’s our way of feeling relevant. LOL!

On another note, as far as racism in Hollywood goes, I think you’ve got it wrong in this aspect. However, having read many of many of your previous posts I am pretty confident in assuming that you’re a fan of Chris Rock, who utilizes the very same racial disparities in his acts to create humor, so I know that you get the overall point. Black/white/brown/etc., we’re not the same, but poking fun @ those differences actually closes the gap, IMO.

Hey Dre,
I’m reminded in this post of a story I saw on some program that I can’t recall the name of (20/20, 60 minutes?). The Forida State advocates for Native Americans demanded the changing of their football team’s name from the Seminoles to something less offensive. Lines of white people/ black people etc. joined their protest. Soon the university conceeded and announced they were changing the name. Immediately after the announcement the Florida Seminole tribe THEMSELVES started a campaign to leave the name the same. It seems the advocates had never even ASKED the tribe, it’s chief or any of it’s members if they were offended and furthermore the advocates were not even from that tribe (most likely 1/8 Native Americans). I’ve always made it a point to give more creedance to the group that should be the ones offended than to any advocates who (and I agree with Mike on this one) are more concerned with how noble it makes THEM look than how it represents the people involved. Good post.

Compelling post, Dre. I can understand the sentiments coming from the rest of the room, but as a black person I tend to get annoyed when non-blacks get offended FOR ME. As a result, I usually shy away from putting my two cents into other people’s affairs, unless they get the ball rolling. thehc provided the best example possible showing how socially destructive (and downright stupid) it would be to pitch a fit over someone else’s “victimization”, when even the person they’re defending doesn’t feel victimized.

So if some idiot publishes his “research” claiming that blacks are intellectually inferior or Glenn Beck calls our POTUS a racist, white people should wait for black people to take the lead before we chime in? Not me. Ignorance is ignorance no matter who gets upset about it. Why can’t we point out what’s wrong with the world INSTEAD of worrying about who responds and who doesn’t?

geekgirl, I don’t think anybody is saying to ignore outright blantant examples of racism, bigotry, and social injustice. But there IS a much larger point here worth examining. Trust me: as a black man I welcome ANYBODY to join in “the fight.” But speaking for other people may be just as offensive as the violation in question.

I don’t, but I think I am with geekgirl on this one. How are you supposed to differentiate between times when its ok to join the fight against injustice and when you are speaking for someone else?

I mean it’s one thing when you start a campaign to save Darfur and you have no idea where Sudan is, but isn’t it ok to say that you don’t want people to use certain words around you and yours (which is what I think Ms. Elizabeth and interesting as her viewpoints may be) is really trying to say?

Andre :
Iraq immediately comes to mind, but there are countless examples of instances where we were sure we’d be ‘treated like liberators’, only to find out that we’ve either pissed somebody off because of our intervention or that we’ve unncessarily fought for things that were of the least bit of interest for those ’served.’

The same people that fell for that Iraq BS, also fell for Tom Ridge’s Code-Oranges & sheathed their homes in plastic tarps after they bought every roll of duct-tape within 20 miles. I get, & agree w/ The HC’s point, I do, but while I’ve certainly disagreed w/ you on select posts pertaining to race in the past, I don’t ever recall any of your posts (whether they be on this new blog, or the old one on blogspot) coming anywhere close to the extent of his example.